Walks, festival, galas and awards abound

Despite cooling albeit blinding rain, the American Diabetes Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes at Marlins Park went off without a hitch raising dollars for a great cause. The stage, sponsor and vendor tables at the event were fully protected with the massive overhang in front of the stadium. The crowd of corporate teams, school groups, nonprofits and individual walkers not only enjoyed circling the interior of the Marlines Stadium and viewing the beautiful new ballpark but also had a chance to collect samples and talk to vendors about a variety of diabetic product lines. Community Newspapers was happy to be there with the folks from Navarro Discount Pharmacy, Baptist Hospital and several groups from the area including GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club, Coral Gables Rotary, Doral Business Council and Miami Christian School, to mention a few.

Volunteers from Miami Christian School Allison Bean, Elizabeth Rosillo and Chrissy Rosillo are seen here atCommunity Newspapers table at American Diabetes Walk on Sept. 22, 2012, at Marlins Park.

Coming up next, an expected crowd of 12,000 will convene on FIU’s Modesto Campus at 11200 SW 8th St. on Sat., Oct. 6, for the American Heart Association’s Annual Heart Walk . The fun begins at 8 a.m. with booths galore, free Subway sandwiches, health screenings and more. After warm ups, the actual walk starts at 9 a.m. Stop by Community Newspapers’ booth and see me. Tell us why you love the paper and you will have a chance to win some great restaurant gift certificates. For more information on that walk, visit www.miamidadeheartwalk.org.

Chamber South will takes guests of their Chairman’s Gala for a travel staycation at the Bora Bora Ball on Friday, October 5th, 2012, at Grove Isle Hotel & Spa. Guests will enjoy a night of dining and dancing during which time the outgoing Chairman, Joseph Corradino, and incoming Chairman, Zac Hall, will be honored. This busy Chamber is also in the midst of producing its 41st Annual South Miami Art Festival sponsored by First National Bank of South Miami. Mark your calendars for November 3 & 4th, 2012, in beautiful downtown South Miami. For more information on the Gala or the Art Festival, visit info@chambersouth.com.

With football season upon us, student athletes and particularly football players are hard pressed to find time for anything more than studies and the game. Thus, when times allows for other activities, those who commit to community service are all the more deserving of praise. So it is that congratulations go out to University of Miami senior running back Mike James, one of only 22 student-athletes to be named to the 2012 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team by Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association. James is one of only 11 college football players from the Football Bowl Subdivision receiving this recognition, one of the most prestigious community service awards in all of college football. In addition to contributing countless hours to supporting community service organizations such Empowered Youth, an organization providing mentoring to atrisk youth; serving as a project manager for the 2012 University of Miami Bone Marrow Drive; and serving meals to the homeless with the Miami Rescue Mission, James has also been involved with The Ronald McDonald House, Rushing the Community, and ’Canes on Patrol.

By the way, James, the sixth Cane to be so honored, also shines on the field. He scored four touchdowns against UM’s win over Georgia Tech 42-36. Good job on and off the turf.

Finally, the public is invited to a book reading at Stanfill Funeral Home on Friday October 5, 7-8 p.m. The event will give guests a chance to meet the author of “Do They take Credit Cards in Heaven?”, Milica Z. Bookman. Interestingly enough, former President Bill Clinton was spotted with this book at a recent event held at The Biltmore Hotel. Considering the title, sounds like an appropriate site for the reading.

Until next time, keep making each day count.

If you would like to submit information for this column, please send your news via e-mail to gloriagalburns@aol.com.

About the Author

A graduate of the University of Florida with a major in Spanish, Burns has an extensive background in advertising, marketing and reciprocal trade, travel as well as non profit consulting and management. Burns' volunteer activities led her to become a columnist writing Gloria’s Gab, a column that focuses on the non-profit activity. Burns was Executive Director of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee for 6 years and then served as the first Executive Director of Coral Gables Community Foundation for 14 years after which she helped the emerging Community Foundation of Pinecrest. Active in many non profits, she received the 2015-16 President's Best Member Award from the GFWC Coral Gables Woman's Club, 2012-13 CGWC Leadership Award, 2012-2013 Rotarian of the Year Award as RCCG Public Relations Chair and Fund raising Co-Chair, 2011 Florida Federation of Women’s Club Volunteer of the Year for the District 11 and honored by the City of Doral as one of their first recipients for the Doralian Women's Award. Among her list of current responsibilities, Burns co-chairs two annual student recognition breakfasts for the Coral Gables Friends of Education; helps coordinate charity partners for the Westin Colonnade's Annual Give Kids the World Breakfast; serves on the board of directors of Doral Business Council; is Parliamentarian and serves on the board of the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club; serves the board of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables and is Publicity Chair; and is a member of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee. Gloria is also an active member of the Music Ministry at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church where sings sings in the choir. She can be reached at gloria@communitynewspapers.com